Pickle fork



G. F. LUM

PICKLE FORK Jan. 30, 1951 Filed May 11, 1948 INVENTOR. ylgqg Patented Jan. 30, 1951 PICKLE FORK F- George F. Lum, Detroit, Mich., assignor of onehalf to Horace F. W. Warden, Dearborn, Mich.

Application May 11, 1948, Serial No. 26,340

2 Claims.

My invention relates to forks, and particularly to a fork arranged to remove pickles or the like from jars or containers without requiring the user to use the fingers of the other hand. To remove pickles or the like without a specifically designed fork can be a tiring task often resulting in soiled clothing. This pickle fork can be expeditiously used for removing pickles, meat or other canned food relieving the user of attendant untoward, vexing kitchen incidents common- 1y associated with this task.

The principal object of the present invention resides in a fork of this class that can be easily centered, and by a partial increment of rotation be self-driven into any pickle, fruit or meat tissue for removal from packing containers or other kitchen utensils.

Another object of the invention resides in the design of fork that is sanitary, does not have corners or crevises that can not be washed, prior to storage for further use.

A further object resides in a fork of a character that is economical of manufacture, durable and efiicient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

My invention consists in construction and arrangement of the various parts, whereby the contemplated objects are attained, as set fort hereinafter, and pointed out in m claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved pickle fork,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the fork showing it applied to a pickle,

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is also a detail sectional view taken along line G- l of Fig. 3.

In the drawing the fork is shown having a handle 2, into which is secured a portion 4, of the shank Bof the fork. The shank 6 is preferably formed of relatively light gage flat metal stock, and terminates in an enlarged portion generally indicated by the numeral 8. The head is of greater width than the shank 6 and has a flat plate portion H) from which integrally extends a central guide or pilot axial tapered prong [2 shown clearly in Fig. l, of the drawing. Formed substantially parallel to but of a greater dimensional length than the guide prong is a second prong is adapted to be driven into the body ofa pickle or the like.

Theterminal portion of the sepondprong is angulated at 118 with respect to the'plane of the I The terminal portion guide and second prongs.

is also arcuated so that axial and rotational movement of said shank efiects movement of the arcuated portion in a helical path.

A third prong 16, similar to the second prong [4 extends from the portion H) on the side of the guide prong opposite to said second prong.

The prongs I4 and 16 are provided with rounded trailing edges at 20 on their outer periphery. The leading edges of the terminal portions are sharpened at 24 and serve to permit easy entrance into the object to be used with the fork.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawing the fork is shown inserted into the pickle 26 in a typical manner. It will readily be seen that the prongs need only to be inserted a nominal depth for read removal of the object from a container.

It is understood that certain additions, modifications and alterations may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I wish to avail myself of any and all that may come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pickle fork comprising a flat elongated shank, a pickle engaging portion integral with said shank and provided with a guide prong in axial alignment with said shank, a second prong extending from said shank and substantially parallel to said guide prong, the terminal portion of said second prong being angulated with respect to the plane of said guide and second prongs, the angulated terminal portion of said second prong being of arcuate form, and a third prong similar to said second prong and extending from said shank on the side of said guide prong opposite to said second prong, rotation of the shank effecting movement of said terminal portions in a conical plane whereby said arcuate portions provide leading edges, said leading edges being sharpened for engagement with the object to be withdrawn, axial movement of the fork effecting. movement of said arcuate portions in a helical path.

2. A pickle fork comprising a flat elongated shank, a pickle engaging portion integral with said shank and provided with a guide prong in axial alignment with said shank, a second prong extending from said shank and substantially parallel to said guide prong, the terminal portion of said second prong being angulated with respect to the plane of said guide and second milar to saidsecond prong and extend angulated terminal portion of saida f ng being of arcuateiorm, and a third 1 2,539,849 3 4 ing from said shank on the side of said guide of said arcuate portions in a helical path within prong opposite to said second prong, said guide the object.

prong extending longitudinall farther than said GEORGE F. LUM. second and third prongs for initial engagement with the object to be withdrawn, rotation of said 5 REFERENCES CITED Shank effecting movement of said terminal The following references are of record in the tions in a conical plane whereby said arcuate porfil f this patent:

tions provide leading edges, said leading edges being sharpened for engagement of said terminal UNITED STATES PATENTS portions ,with the object, axial and rotational 10 Number Name Date movement of the shank effecting movement 880,807 Menkin Mar. 3, 1908 13787583 Innes Jan. 6, 1931 

